Requested Street Closures Discussed During City Council Meeting
(Le Mars) — Requested street closures was discussed during the Le Mars city council meeting held Tuesday, following a request by the downtown businesses associated with the Ridiculous and Crazy Days. The request was asking the city council to approve the closure of two blocks on Central Avenue between
1st Street South to 1st Street North. Both Fire Chief Dave Schipper and Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte informed the council they would like to be notified of proposed street closures by organizations making any future requests.
City administrator, Jason Vacura informed the council the request is the same as previous years. Vacura said it would be the council’s decision if they wanted to make any changes in the policy requesting for a street closure.
After some discussion with the issue, city councilman Ken Nelson offered an idea as a resolution for future street closure requests.
Both Dave Schipper and Kevin Vande Vegte agreed with councilman Nelson’s proposal. The city council did approve the request to close Central Avenue during the summer retail sales event.
Robertson Sentenced For 15 Years In Prison For Burglary And Forgery
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Attorney Darin Raymond has announced a Merrill man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for two counts of burglary and one count of forgery. 55-year old David Robertson was sentenced on February
11th in Plymouth County District Court for three felony criminal offenses.
Judge Patrick Tott oversaw the court proceedings. Robertson was accused of conducting the burglaries in rural Plymouth County in early December of 2019 and the forgery charge resulted from items stolen in the burglaries.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s office conducted the initial investigation.
Robertson was taken into immediate custody by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and will be transported to the Iowa Department of Corrections where he will serve the sentences. The defendant was ordered to pay all restitution costs to the victims of his offenses.
Accused Stabbing Suspect’s Trial Is Further Delayed
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Nebraska resident accused of stabbing to death a woman in northwest Iowa has had her trial rescheduled to start June 8.
Melissa Camargo-Flores, of Dakota City, Nebraska, is accused of killing 24-year-old Kenia Alvarez-Flores in Sioux City on April 8, 2018. Court documents say Camargo-Flores admitted stabbing Alvarez-Flores. Camargo-
Flores told investigators she’d been involved in a relationship with the victim’s boyfriend. Authorities say the two women were not related.
Board Of Regents Suspends International Travel Of Students Due To Coronavirus
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Board of Regents have voted to suspend all international travel of students attending the three state universities due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Regent board chairman, Mike Richards says, “Safety of our campus communities is a paramount concern for the Board
of Regents. Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance and Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Guidance for Student Foreign Travel for Institutions of Higher Education recommends institutions “should consider postponing or canceling student foreign exchange program.”
Based on this most recent guidance from the CDC and IDPH, as well as the quickly evolving impact of COVID-19, the Board of Regents is cancelling all university-sponsored international travel for all faculty, staff and students for 30 days (including spring break) effective immediately. The announcement did not address how the action would affect those students from
international countries wanting to study here in Iowa at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Advocate Questions Appointment To Public Information Board
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A public information advocate says the
appointment of an Iowa Human Services Department spokesman to the state public records board will make it easier for the department to deny access to information. Matt Highland was named Wednesday to the Iowa Public Information Board, which enforces open records laws. Randy Evans is director
of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, and he told The Des Moines
Register the appointment could mute cases beyond just those involving the human services department. The governor’s office says Highland is “a perfect candidate” for the board. Highland says he would excuse himself from department-related complaints.
King Wants To Name Sioux City Post Office After War Hero
Washington D.C- Congressman Steve King announces that he has introduced legislation to rename the United States Post Office located in Sioux City at 214 Jackson Street after Brigadier General George ‘Bud’ Day. King’s bill, HR 6095, seeks to honor the life and heroic legacy of Day, a Sioux City native who earned the Medal of Honor and retired as the “most decorated veteran in American history next to General Douglas MacArthur.”
“General Bud Day is an American war hero who deserves to be honored in his hometown of Sioux City in this way,” said King. “By renaming the Jackson Street Post Office after General Day, we will be keeping the memory of his bravery and his unparalleled service to our country alive for successive generations of Iowans. Bud Day served his country honorably in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, spending 5 and a half years in captivity as a prisoner of war in the latter conflict and retiring as the most decorated veteran in American history next to General Douglas MacArthur. As we increasingly lose those who served in these conflicts to the passage of time, it is important that we take steps to ensure that the valor of those who served will not be forgotten.”
General Bud Day earned 70 decorations in service to his country, including the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross. In recognition of his service and bravery, General Day received a posthumous promotion to Brigadier General in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.
Southern Iowa Listed As Red Flag Fire Zone
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Forecasters have issued wind and fire conditions warnings Thursday for Iowa. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the extreme fire danger south of Interstate 80 and wind warnings for all of Iowa. Gusts approaching 50 mph or higher are expected in some spots. The warnings run through 6 p.m. Forecasters say the high winds will
drive the destruction caused by any uncontrolled fires in dry fields and pose a danger to tall vehicles.
Senator Ernst Votes To Support Funding For Coronavirus
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with a bipartisan majority in the United States Senate, supported legislation today to provide resources to federal, state, and local authorities to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Today I joined my Republican and Democratic colleagues in Congress to provide additional resources for our federal, state, and local agencies and health partners who are on the front lines of combating this virus,” said Senator Ernst. “The Trump Administration took swift action early on to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by implementing travel restrictions and quarantines. Passing this important funding measure is a sure sign of Congress and the administration working together to protect our communities and ensure the safety and well-being of all Americans.”
MidAmerican Energy To Set Up Solar Panels In Iowa City Park
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A plan developed by MidAmerican Energy and Iowa City calls for using a portion of a city park for MidAmerican’s first solar energy project. The Iowa City Council has scheduled a public hearing March 24 on leasing nearly 19 acres at Waterworks Prairie Park to MidAmerican, which would install about 10,000 solar panels. The system is expected to
generate three megawatts of energy that would be tied into the electric grid. The lease would run for 30 years and could be extended. The city would receive an annual payment starting at $13,440, and it would increase by 3% annually.
